The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1887-02-24

mittee to investigate charges against the
people of Washington county, upon the
instigation of trio of disreputuable rene
gades, who are fugitives from justice, if
not legal prosecution, is insulting to
Texas, as we'll as every other state in the
Union; is unwarrrnted by law, and without
the scope of the senate's authority.
That being so, any appropriation or
expenditure of money belonging to the
United States for such purpose is
fraudulent conversion thereof and embez-
zlement-a felony under the law-and its
author should be punished by contine.
ment in the peniientiary, not less than
two, nor more than ten years.
Section BE it further resolved, That
it Is the sense of the senate and house of
representatives ofTexas that this conduct
of the senate of the United States is &C
tuated by partisan, purposes,and promoted
by class whose very pretension to
patriotism is evinced by hatred and
malevolence towards the people of the
south, whom they have persistently perse-
cuted by every manner and means of op-
preston they could invent since they
have assumed the southern people were
helpless and unable to resist their tyranny
or resent their insults.
Section 3-Be it further resolved, That,
in our best judgment, no citizen is bound
to obey their pretended authority in this
behalf, and the civil authorities are ad-
vised to interpose by all lawful means for
the protection of our citizens against
their unlawful and high handed usurpa-
ton"
Senator Camp, for the committee on
state affairs, reported favorably the bill
to authorize Captain VIM. Wilson to sue
the state.
Senator Frank, for the penitentiary
committee, reported unfavorably the bill
to regulate the hiring of penitentiary
convicts.
Senator Camp, for the committee on
state affairs, reported unfavorably to
license railroad engineers and conductors
unfavorably to permit cities to establish
houses of refuge; unfavorably the joint
resolution appropriating $4,000 to pur-
chase the house in which the first congress
of Texas was held.
Senator Jarvis, for the finance commit
tee, reported unfavorably creating bonds
of equalization for cities and towns; I'M
favorably to loan the school fund to rail
ways.
Senator Woods offered a joint resolu-
ton appointing a committee to investi-
gate the reason why the state is behind in
the payment of the puplic school teach
ers, and to report the same to the legisla-
ture. Adopted, and Senators Woods, Lane
and Davis were appointed on the commit
tee.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
By Senator Douglass, of Jefferson, to
change the time of holding court in Har-
den county.
After the morning call, the discussion
on the railroad commission bill pending
yesterday, was resumed.
Senator Terrell withdrew his motion to
strike out the enacting clause.
On motion of Senator Frank, this bill
was considered by sections.
Senator Gregg offered to amend by
striking out meeting" and inserting
"shall hold their Office until the next reg
ular session of the legislature" Adopted.
Senator Harrison moved to increase the
salary from $4,000 to $4,000, per annum.
Adopted.
Senator Woods moved to amend by re-
curing the third man on the commission
to be experienced in commercial affairs.
Lost.
Senator Frank moved to amend by re-
quiring each commissioner togive $4,000
bond. Lost-yeas, 10; nays, II.
Senator Gregg moved by fixing the
salary of clerk at $4,000. Adopted.
Senator Pope moved to amend by max
ing the salary $1,000. Adopted.
Senator Lane offered to amend by strik-
ing out "fair and reasonable rate" and in
sert illegal rates fixed by law"
Some discussion followed, pending
which Senator Houston rose to question
of privilege, and read an extract from
The STATESMAN, as follows:
Complaint is made that in the report of
Mr.. Nelson's testimony, in the Willis in
vestigation, material point is omitted.
1t is claimed that where Mr.. Nelson spoke
of the Panhandle association having
given a bonus of $4,000 to Mr.. Wood
man, district attorney, he also said that
after Mr.. Houston had left the Office he
demanded and received the sum of 5000
from the company for the same charac-
ter of service. THE STATESMAN has no in
ter est in this matter and does not want to
injure any one, and certainly will not
favor one side to the detriment of the
other. Plain and simple justice is all
that is supposed to be asked on either
side, and plain and simple jus4ice THE
STATESMAN will always accord.
snow, Mr.. President and Gentlemen of
the Senate-Presumably the reason for
excluding the matter yesterday omitted,
and which is alluded to, was it's total ir-
but it seems that some one
an animus insists that the |
testimony must go to the world, and it is |
incumbent upon me to notice it, if not |
upon my own account, for the sake of |
this body, of which am a member, for |
hope, in common with thirty compeers,
have that chastity of honor which feels
4 stain like wound
The facts are these: When, for rea-
sons needless to name, 1 had resigned
ny office of district attor-
ley of the frontier district, there
we're certain cases still pending
IN the criminal docket, which persons in
ured desired should continue to prose-
ute, as l had prepared the indictments
md procured the testimony. At that time
ny resignation had taken effect, and my
uccessor had qualified. 1 was upon the
anne plain as any other attorney, and re-
elved 500 for my services, and not 5000,
IS stated. Now, gentlemen, the most fas-